Benzema was excluded from France squad until his legal situation is clarified, after being charged with complicity in the attempted blackmail of his compatriot Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape involving the latter and his wife,reports Efe on Saturday.

In a press conference on the eve of Eibar clash, Zidane on Saturday said: “I want to see the best of Karim again and we’re slowly getting back to that.”

“That’s a problem for the national coach,” the French coach pointed out with reference to Deschamps’s decision.

Real Madrid coach explained that Benzema is “an important player” for him.

Zidane indicated that he has not discussed the exclusion with Benzema, adding that “we talk about how he can improve his performances.”